When I awake, I am still with You!

Psalms 139:17-18. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

A traditional child’s prayer at bedtime:

“Now I lay me down to sleep; I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake, I pray, O Lord, my soul to take. Amen.”

A mature child of God’s prayer at bedtime:

“Dear heavenly Father, now I lay me down to sleep. It has been quite a day, and a year, for that matter. You said that sufficient for each day are the evils thereof. Wow, yes. Today has had its challenges. I release this today to You and ask for Your sufficient grace as I awake to face tomorrow.

“I have tried to keep my focus on You. I’m learning that to walk in the Spirit means that I chose to discipline my heart to acknowledge You in all my ways – to treat you as present right here, right now. The best part of my day was when I could sense your presence and pleasure, and to have an unseen conversation going on while I did what had to be done.

“Lord, I admit to being distracted some of the day. Okay, much of the day. I get pre-occupied with many things. While in those times I temporarily lost my focus on Your presence, You have been so patient, and have drawn near to influence my thoughts with Your thoughts. More, Lord. Your inner promptings are the most precious thing I experienced all day long.

“Thank You, Lord, for Your grace that You have shown to such an insignificant person like me. You had time for me. You gave me abilities to be and do beyond my own capabilities. You are such a glorious God, and I just want to be the tablet on which You can inscribe Your excellencies to be read by the little part of the world in which I live. Oh, how I want to decrease so You can increase. I so want to experience more of Your fullness!

“Now, as I lay me down to sleep, I welcome You to guard me in the night from thoughts, and fears that Your enemy would press into my vulnerable mind and emotions. You, Lord, have my permission – more than that – You have my earnest desire, that You would continue to speak to me in the night, while I am least distracted. Speak to me and shape me more into Your likeness and will. Jesus, this I am asking in Your name and Your will. Amen.”

Psalms 17:15. As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

Be encouraged, dear child of God. His is a great communicator. Let’s become better listeners.